Christmas #1

Luckily we had our camera on the second day of family time with Dan's family. On Sunday we had some extended family over a visit and fun time. Nancy and Allen made it as did Michelle and Leo and Natalie. We also got to see old friend Gini. We had a really good time with everyone!

Baby Natalie...was the hit of the party.. Everyone wants to be where she is! These few photos ...you'll notice Spencer is right in there. Of all of our kids he is the one who longs most for another baby in the Willams family.

Christmas with Old Friends

We got into town on Friday night and this trip to Oregon was packed!!! We forgot to bring our camera to our Saturday Christmas with Dan's family..so our trip with pictures starts here...on Sunday after church. We were invited to Dinner at the Merriss home with the Howells as well. We had a really good time catching up with old friends...It was good to see Kimmy and Nick, two of the youth we had in the youth church back home. Such a good time.

This was a nice little gem that Dan and I received at a white elephant Christmas party about 5 years ago. It originated Joe and Coleen and we felt it was finally ready to go home!

The Christmas Story

The children at church had a mini Christmas program this year. Each of our kids had a speaking part and then Spencer became a last minute Donkey fill in. It was a great and heart warming message from the children on the true meaning of Christmas. I have been so blessed by our Children's ministry leaders. Out kids are so lucky to have Aunt Sue and Mr. Bill lead them!

FUN SNOW FINALLY!!!

This was the first day of fun in the snow...the snow so far had been really dry and the kids couldn't make a snowball for anything. This girls had a blast with Dad building these two huge snowmen...while mom was working on some things inside and Spencer was sleeping in until around 11 that day! he missed out that is for sure.

bake day 2007

My cooking partner Sarah and I decided that we would continue on in tradition and make our assortment of baked goods for the holidays this year....our favorite and a tradition and recipe handed down from my family is the beloved Almond Roca. I attempted to take precaution by wearing a long sleeve shirt in case steaming hot melted butter popped out of the pan.....but this is what happened when a huge splat of boiling butter shot out and got caught between the protective layer and my skin....and continued to cook! it took over 12 hrs for the burn to subside and that was with it on ice that entire time. But I have to say...I would do it again....it is the best almond roca ever!!!

3rd Grade Potlatch

Through the month of November, the 3rd grade classes studied the Native American history in the Spokane area. In December we had the privilege of a small performance and then share in the potlatch in Maddie's classroom. Maddie did a fantastic job at welcoming all of the parents to the program and then she also had the part as the muskrat in the little skit in the Potlatch. They had a great time!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Spencer had his 1-2 grade Christmas program at school and he was selected for a tiny part as one of Santa's Elves. He had a great time and of course he did the ususal while on stage....hands in pockets! wierd...but so cute.

The traveling salesman

We had a special visit with our friend Joe from Oregon. He is a sales rep and part of his territory is Ritzville, WA. Which happens to only be about an hour south of us. So occasionally we get the chance to catch up with him while he is on the road. The kids always get excited to see him. He brings many smiles and many good memories from home for us. In one of the pictures below he is showing the kids how he can shake his eyes. quite freaky.

The great Christmas tree hunt

Since we planned to go to Oregon for Christmas this year we decided to get our tree as early as possible. It was a lot of fun because it was just after the first snow of the season. We found a tree that Dan nor I knew what kind it was. We both agree it was the prettiest tree we have chosen to date.

Thanksgiving 2007

It was fun having thanksgiving at home this year with family from home! Even extra special since my sisters family finally moved home to the states from Australia. The girls made us a special construction paper quilt that we hung on the wall. It had cute little decorations of pilgrims, native Americans and turkeys. We had a really great time showing Jake, Jenny and the kids downtown Spokane on one of the days they were here.